"Are we supposed to eat this thing too?"
The Mourning Ghost stood next to the sticky cocoon, while everyone gathered around.
Eat yourself. Come back.
I shouted, and the Mourning Ghost instantly returned to my body. Howard Lee and Mason Yu rushed over, tearing at the cocoon like a translucent membrane. When it opened, I saw Mason Yu, completely naked inside, unconscious.
At that moment, Old Eccentric walked over. We all saw that on Mason Yu's back, there were dense snake scales, as if he was born with them. It sent chills down my spine.
Alright, that's enough. Everyone, let's go get ready for the barbecue.
Old Stone called out, while Hu Tianshuo and the rest of the Ghost Burial Squad busied themselves dispersing the onlookers.
Mason Yu, Mason Yu!
Dalton Fang stripped off his own shirt to cover Mason Yu, then kept calling his name, slapping his face. After a long while, Mason Yu still didn't wake up. At that moment, Huang Jun smiled and walked over.
Let me give him a couple of good slaps. This kid just broke two of my ribs.
As Huang Jun raised his hand to slap Mason Yu awake, we all stopped him immediately.
"Move aside," Old Eccentric said, approaching Mason Yu. He extended a finger and wrote a white character for 'wake' on Mason Yu's forehead, and Mason slowly regained consciousness.
As soon as he woke up, Mason Yu looked confused. He stood up, and Mason Yu questioned him about what happened. But Mason Yu just looked coldly, tied Dalton Fang's jacket around his waist, and walked toward the dormitory.
Damn it, Mason Yu, give us an explanation! What the hell happened to you?
Mason Yu couldn't help but curse.
"You don't need to worry about it," Mason Yu said coldly. I was about to ask, but Old Eccentric spoke first.
Kid, what did you do? Why is the Snake Spirit so furious, even wanting to devour you? Are you the inheritor of the Snake Branch of the Zodiac Twelve from the Nether Syndicate?
Old Eccentric said this, and I continued.
Mason Yu, I saw Suyan at Half-Step Hill.
Suddenly, Mason Yu turned, strode up to me, grabbed my collar, and glared at me angrily.
"Zhang Qingyuan, don't mention that bastard's name in front of me."
"Don't push it too far, Mason Yu."
Dalton Fang couldn't help but shout. Suddenly, Mason Yu glared at him, and Dalton quickly covered his mouth. Everyone looked at Mason Yu with concern.
"If something's wrong, tell us, okay? Maybe..."
I was about to speak when Old Eccentric pulled me aside, smiling at Mason Yu.
"If you're tired, go get some sleep, Mason."
"Sorry, Chief..." Mason Yu said before fainting. Dalton Fang and Howard Lee rushed over, supporting Mason. Their deep bond was clear—they'd worked together for years.
"You two, carry him to Howard Lee's dorm."
Ouyang Wei spoke, and the two carried Mason Yu inside. I saw Old Eccentric silently smoking, his eyes filled with pity for Mason Yu, while Hu Tianshuo looked helpless.
"Sigh, Tianshuo, that kid is still the same as before—hasn't changed at all."
"Yeah, Old Eccentric." I listened to Old Eccentric and Hu Tianshuo's conversation, not quite understanding.
"Everyone, remember this: spread the word. Tomorrow, nobody is allowed to mention tonight's events, or you'll lose half a month's pay."
We all headed outside the cafeteria, where the smell of barbecue was already wafting over.
I sat at a table with Old Eccentric and Hu Tianshuo. Lan Ruoxi went to get food. Old Eccentric poured four cups of baijiu, smoking and lost in thought.
"Tianshuo, how many years has that kid been in the Ghost Burial Squad?"
Old Eccentric asked, and Hu Tianshuo adjusted his glasses before answering.
"Eleven years, Qingyuan. He's the same age as you, born in the Year of the Snake, but he joined the Ghost Burial Squad at seventeen."
The three of us raised our glasses and took a sip. The squad's liquor was as strong as ever. I felt the burn from my throat to my stomach, while the other two showed no reaction. I remembered the time I got drunk with the squad—Uncle Mo probably put the Phoenix Altar in my body then.
Soon, Lan Ruoxi brought over some barbecue, set it on the table, and downed half a cup of liquor in one go.
"Hey, why are you drinking so slowly?"
I swallowed and looked at Lan Ruoxi, her cheeks flushed. I smiled.
Drink slowly, drink slowly.
By the way, Old Eccentric, how did Mason Yu join the Ghost Burial Squad?
I asked, and Lan Ruoxi glanced at me.
At that time, I heard that kid was living on the streets, and Old Eccentric took him in.
Lan Ruoxi said, and Hu Tianshuo shook his head.
Well, Old Eccentric and I were investigating something involving a government official who kept ghosts, so we had to go ourselves and keep watch.
I ate while listening to Old Eccentric's story. Back then, Old Eccentric and Hu Tianshuo were investigating a case where a director suddenly died at home. The cause was so bizarre that the Ghost Burial Squad was dispatched.
After a series of investigations, they found the new director was highly suspicious, but there was no evidence. Hu Tianshuo and the others knew it was a ghost, but getting proof was difficult.
Eventually, Hu Tianshuo snuck into the director's home, hoping to find evidence of him using ghosts to harm people, but found nothing.
That night, I saw a boy wandering in the courtyard where I was investigating. He could see ghosts and even communicated with them.
Everything was very strange. Hu Tianshuo and Old Eccentric decided to investigate the boy. Later, they discovered he was a homeless kid, driven away by security several times, living in the neighborhood and surviving by scavenging from the trash bins.
Old Eccentric and Hu Tianshuo talked to the boy several times, but he never spoke, his eyes vacant, ignoring them. Eventually, they realized he had no connection to the case.
Old Eccentric decided to confront the suspect directly and get a confession.
Sigh, Mason even saved my life once.
Old Eccentric said, and Hu Tianshuo continued. On the day of the confrontation, Hu Tianshuo waited outside, but Old Eccentric never returned. Hu Tianshuo mobilized the Ghost Burial Squad to search, but couldn't find him.
To find Old Eccentric, Hu Tianshuo even threatened the suspect, but the suspect called the police and brought in the media. They were powerless.
Seven days later, Mason Yu saved Old Eccentric. The suspect kept ghosts in a basement in the neighborhood's garage. He captured Old Eccentric, but Mason Yu found him and defeated the fierce ghost.
I'm very grateful to him. I invited him to join the Ghost Burial Squad many times before he finally agreed.
Old Eccentric, you really were like a shadow back then, always trying to persuade that kid.
Hu Tianshuo laughed, and then Mason Yu joined the Ghost Burial Squad. He was quiet, kept to himself except for work, and at that moment, Lan Ruoxi appeared.
You girl, you've dragged us into all sorts of complicated ghost cases, but thanks to you, Ruoxi, Mason Yu finally fit in with the squad and learned to smile.
I looked at Lan Ruoxi, grinning. She raised her glass and spoke.
Come on, Qingyuan, let's drink.
Lan Ruoxi filled my cup and insisted on drinking with me, giving Old Eccentric meaningful looks, as if she didn't want to tell me about the past.
In the end, I got drunk, my head spinning and vomiting all over. Lan Ruoxi supported me. Tonight, I shared a dorm with Mason Yu. She helped me; I was conscious but weak.
Ruoxi, you don't want me to hear about your past?
No, I'll tell you when I have time. Get some rest, Qingyuan. Today wasn't a happy day, was it?
Lan Ruoxi spoke gently. She could tell I hadn't been happy since leaving prison, after learning about that guy.
No wonder Lan Ruoxi kept pouring me drinks, like she wanted me drunk on purpose.
It's not easy for anyone here. But the fact that we're all together in the Ghost Burial Squad is fate. Qingyuan, tomorrow you and I will go find Mason Yu. We have to help him.
I nodded, and Lan Ruoxi helped me to bed, then went to the bathroom to get a wet towel and wiped my face. It felt good; I was already drowsy.
Good night, Qingyuan.
The next morning, I struggled to open my eyes, still feeling awful. Mason Yu was watching a movie nearby, and I sat up.
Qingyuan, you're awake. It's almost 11. Let me finish this movie, then we'll go eat.
I responded, looking at Mason Yu.
Where's Mason Yu?" I asked immediately. Mason Yu sighed.
Qingyuan, that kid's not doing well. Early this morning, his whole body except his head was covered in snake scales.
Take me to see him, quick!" I said, getting up. Mason Yu paused the movie, his face troubled as he looked at me.
That kid too, we've all worked together for years. Whatever's going on, he should at least tell everyone.